It's the time to relax, drink and eat and stop counting the calories.

It's the time to relax, drink and eat and stop counting the calories.

However, the end of the festive period often spells more than just a hangover - it can also deliver a nasty shock when you step on the scales.

Yet help is on hand this year from someone more than familiar with the methods and techniques required to get fighting fit again in short order.

Former British, European and world boxing champion Jon Thaxton is inviting people of all ages and abilities to join him on a New Year fitness boot camp, running throughout January at the Esporta Norfolk Health and Racquets Club, in Drayton High Road, Hellesdon.

Sessions held from 6.30am to 7.30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will incorporate a variety of exercise, including step workouts, elements of boxing training and military fitness, supervised by an ex-Army instructor.

Mr Thaxton, 35, of Maple Drive, Taverham, said: 'It's the time when people set goals for themselves for next year and this will be a great way to start getting fit.'

He said the first step would be to assess the current fitness level of camp goers using a bleep test, involving people running progressively faster between two cones as the bleeps sped up.

'People don't have to be supersonically fit. I just want them to put the effort in to see improvement. Everything will be structured so no one experiences burn-out,' he said.

'It will appeal to men and women who want to lose weight, people who want to get fit and people who are just mad!

'It is not me who makes the classes good. It is the atmosphere in the class.'

The boot camp costs �100 for Esporta members and �120 for non-members. To book, ring Mr Thaxton on 07815106649 or email jonothaxton@btinternet.com